Klobuchar-Grassley Legislation Passes, Sexual Harassment Training Becomes Mandatory in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON – Today, legislation introduced
by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the Ranking Member of the Senate Rules
Committee, and Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Richard
Shelby (R-AL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
has passed the Senate, mandating that sexual harassment training will be
mandatory for senators, staff and interns of the Senate.
The
legislation is cosponsored by Rules Committee members Chuck Schumer (D-NY),
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lamar
Alexander (R-TN), Tom Udall (D-NM), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Mark Warner (D-VA), Roy
Blunt (R-MO), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Angus King (I-ME), Roger
Wicker (R-MS), and Deb Fischer (R-NE).
“Making harassment training mandatory in the Senate sends a clear message: harassment of any kind is not and will not be tolerated in Congress. Period,” Senator Klobuchar said. “Sexual and workplace harassment is a widespread problem that affects too many women and men in too many places, professions, and industries. Everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable at work, and the passage of this official Senate policy is an important measure to ensure that’s the case in these halls.”
“By passing this resolution, we take a step to ensure that all who work for the Senate are able to do their job without feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. No place of work is immune to the all-too-prevalent scourge of sexual harassment, but we in Congress have a particular duty to set high standards of conduct,” said Senator Grassley. “In the wake of so many scandals and reports of sexual harassment around the country, it’s critical that we continue do everything we can to prevent it.”
“Comprehensive anti-harassment training will now be a requirement for everyone in the Senate community,” Senator Shelby said. “Senator Klobuchar’s resolution is a common-sense, bipartisan proposal that will make it clear that harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. I am pleased that this resolution received unanimous support.”
“Sexual harassment has no place in our society, in the workplace, and certainly not in the United States Senate,” Senator Capito said. “Whether an elected official or staff, anyone working in Congress has a responsibility to set an example for others and create nothing less than an appropriate and respectful work environment. That’s exactly why we introduced this bipartisan resolution, and I’m glad our colleagues came together so quickly to show their support and pass it.”
“Today, the United States Senate has sent a clear message that sexual harassment has no place in our country, our workplaces, and in the United States Congress,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Comprehensive mandatory anti-harassment training will now be a critical component of how we show our employees they are valued, respected, and protected. Our bipartisan resolution is a strong statement and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to make the Senate a safe place, free of any type of harassment or discrimination.”
The
training would need to be completed within 60 days from the date of passage of
the legislation, and repeated no less than once each Congress. The legislation
also included anti-harassment training for protected categories such as race,
disability, religion, national origin, and military service. Each employing
office in the Senate would be required to submit a certification of completed
training, which would be published on the public website of the Secretary of
the Senate.
The
full text of the bipartisan legislation is attached.
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